Description
This Tasty Cold Pasta Salad is a delightful medley of al dente pasta, crisp vegetables, and a creamy dressing that dances on your palate. Each bite offers a refreshing crunch from the veggies, complemented by the rich, tangy flavors of the dressing, making it a perfect dish for warm days.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pasta: 2 cups rotini or fusilli, cooked and cooled
- Vegetables:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Herbs:
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables, and toss gently to combine.
- Add the chopped parsley and dill, mixing until evenly distributed.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled, garnished with additional herbs if desired.
Notes
- This salad can be made a day in advance; just keep it covered in the refrigerator.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter version, substitute the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt.
- Add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas for a heartier meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: salad
- Method: boiling/mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Sodium: 450 milligrams
- Fat: 20 grams
- Saturated Fat: 3 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 30 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 6 grams
- Cholesterol: 10 milligrams
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